On average, it costs $1,487 for Anny Sanic's treatment
- Symptoms
- Impact on patient's life
- Cultural or regional significance
What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?
Common symptoms of a pterygium include redness, blurred vision, and eye irritation due to the growth that covers the white part of the eye. Many also feel burning and itching. Depending on how large the growth is, it can cause vision loss.
What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?
Pterygium leads to persistent redness, inflammation, constant tearing, and dry and itchy eyes. It is extremely uncomfortable and advanced cases can cause limited or loss of vision. In Guatemala, losing vision can end a career, ruin a family’s financial security, and of course majorly impact quality of life.
What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?
Low vision is a problem anywhere in the world. In Guatemala it is a massive problem, because many people depend on their eyesight to be able to work. Guatemala is also closer to the equator, and as such the UV exposure is stronger.
- Process
- Impact on patient's life
- Risks and side-effects
- Accessibility
- Alternatives
What does the treatment process look like?
Treatment for this condition involves consultation with a trusted eye specialist. Surgery is usually a simple affair, requiring just a day or two in the hospital. Before and after eye surgery, drops are usually needed, which are quite expensive. The entire process typically takes two to three months to complete.
What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?
This treatment saves vision, which in turn helps affected individuals live healthy happy, and productive lives.
What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?
This condition is very treatable. Response to treatment is usually dramatic, and exceedingly gratifying to watch. Vision is saved. Although rare, risks of surgery include swelling, double vision, eye redness and infections. Sometimes the growth returns.
How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?
There are no eye surgeries available through the public system. There are several good private clinics, including the ones our medical partner uses, but the very high cost of treatment keeps people from getting care.
What are the alternatives to this treatment?
There are not many alternatives. As is often the case in Guatemala, specialists and treatments are readily available in urban centers – if you can pay for them.
